3 days ago
In West Bengal, a clash of poets over the skipping of a State-sponsored poetry festival
In a State celebrated for its rich literary heritage, poetry in West Bengal has become a site of contention, with poets voicing concern over the non-holding of the State-run Kabita Utsav this year. The annual festival, organised by the West Bengal Poetry Academy since 2016, has not been held in its usual window between January and March, prompting sharp criticism and allegations of mismanagement.
A section of Bengali poets and literary figures has written an open letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that corruption and nepotism had derailed the festival's organisation. The letter, signed by several prominent names, stated, 'The West Bengal Poetry Academy — ours being the only State to have such a body — was established through your initiative. However, dissatisfaction has been growing for a long time among poets and reciters regarding the activities of the academy. [A report was recently published] stating that the poetry festival, organised by the academy, has been cancelled this year due to allegations of financial irregularities and other forms of corruption.'
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The letter further noted that 'one member of its governing body said the last meeting of the academy was held as long back as in June or July 2024, which is not healthy for an active organisation. The West Bengal Poetry Academy is an important institution. We request a fair and independent investigation into the allegations made against the academy, and that appropriate action be taken against those found guilty.'
Subodh Sarkar, noted poet and chairperson of the West Bengal Poetry Academy, rejected the charges as baseless and politically motivated. 'The year is not yet over and the festival can happen anytime. There has been no circular that the Kabita Utsav will not be held this year. The Little Magazine Mela was also delayed. The Poetry Academy, the first of its kind in the country, is a great creation by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. A group of poets who carry a particular political agenda against the ruling party — they have this ridiculous idea that corruption is behind the festival not being held. Such wild imagination is politically motivated,' Mr. Sarkar said.
He further asserted, 'My committee members and I never look after financial matters. And the selection of participating poets, elocutionists and scholars is done unanimously and there is no possibility of any inclusion from outside the list. Academy's each and every decision is unanimous.'
Angshuman Kar, poet and former Secretary of the Sahitya Akademi (Eastern Region), took a different view. 'What is shocking and disappointing for us is that this festival did not take place in the last financial year, that is before the end of March 2025,' Mr. Kar said. For him, the absence of the event within the financial year pointed to its effective discontinuation.
Among the signatories to the letter is renowned scholar and writer Pabitra Sarkar, who observed that it was 'quite natural' for poets and elocutionists to be upset. 'As an interested onlooker I have noticed that many Bengali poets look forward to this yearly event as it offers them a 'State-sponsored' platform with a somewhat elite audience. Some remuneration was also there (₹2,000), which they do not get elsewhere. In a way, this was the most important annual exposure in the State for the Bengali poet.'
Poet Sudip Chakraborty, recipient of the Krittibas and Sahitya Akademi Yuva awards, echoed these sentiments. 'An official invitation from the government means a form of recognition. In that sense, the discontinuation of this festival is indeed very unfortunate. The fact that a festival of poetry in Bengali, a language in which Rabindranath Tagore and Jibanananda Das wrote, has come to an end is deeply regrettable. There should be an enquiry into why it has been discontinued,' he said.
